Mining-machine.



No. 870,116. PATENTED NOV. 5, 190'7.

E. R. MERRILL.

MINING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. '1. 1898.

4 sHnn'rs-smm a, I

s.' mfevlnov ,wane/SRS 1 mw@ i I 'SZfb PATENTBD Nov. 5, 1907.

E. R. MERRILL. MINING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7. 189s.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

EDWIN R. MERRILL, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO,

AS-SIGNOR TO JOSEFI-I A. JEFFREY, OF COLUMBUS,

OHIO.

MINING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented NOV. 5, 1907.

Application filed April 7. 1898. Serial No. 676,813.

To allwzom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN R. MERRILL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Columbus, inthe county of Franklin and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in ll\/Iining-Machines; andI do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a side view of a mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 isalso a side view, showing the principal parts of the machine on a largerscale when in the position relatively to the ground line, where it isready for transportation. Fig. 3 shows in top, plan view the parts inFig. 2, except that the supporting columns are in section. Fig. 4 is arear elevation of the machine on a still larger scale. Fig. 5 is avertical section on the line a", .r of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a cross sectionon the line 'y, y, Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section onthe line 7-7 Fig. 6. Fig. S is a horizontal section on the line 8 8 Fig.2. Fig. 9 is a detail view. Fig. l0 is a horizontal longitudinal sectionof part of the mounting for the rear end of the central tlnust bar K ofthe chain frame. Fig. 1l is a detail view. Fig. l2 is a detaillongitudinal sectional view illustrating the coupling uniting the twoparts of the adjusting shaft q.

The essential parts of the machine comprise a longitudinal frame, or bedadapted to be made temporarily stationary, a carriage frame adapted tomove forward and back on the bed, and a vertical frame, or a series I ofcolumns adapted.to support at one position or another both the bed andthe carriage.

The bed consists of the side bars A, A extending longitudinally andsituated along the sides, the cross girths a and the front and rearcross parts d and a2. The parts a extend downward along the sides of thebars A and to points considerably below them, and then across from sideto side, as at a3. At the bottom these bars a, a3 have secured to themlongitudinally arranged bars a4 which not only serve as braces, but alsoas shoes or supports for the machine when it is upon the ground. Thefront cross frame, consists preferably of upward and inward inclinedbars a5 which at their lower outer ends are secured rigidly to the sideparts of the bed and at their inner ends carry a guide a6. Preferably Iform the bars a5 and the guide a integrally together. Two or more of thecross girths aare formed with or have secured to them bosses b, fromwhich there project outwardly spindles or stub axles b1; and

The latter may be flanged or smooth-faced to permit them to run upon atrack, or upon the ground.

The carriage is fitted to and rests upon the bed frame thus generallydescribed. This carriage is formed of a motor and gearing carrying partand a cutter carrying part. At present I prefer to employ a cuttingapparatus of the endless chain sort; and hence the cutter carrying partof the carriage is a device adapted to support, guide, and advance thechain which carries the cutters.

The part of the carriage which supports the motor or engine and thegearing is indicated as a whole by C, it being in the mechanismillustrated a platform or plate. It rests upon the inwardly turnedflanges a7 of the longitudinal side bars A of the bed frame.

D indicates the motor. That shown is an electric motor. It may be of anysuitable form, but I prefer one substantially as shown and having itsparts arranged in the following manner. Its armature shaftd extendslongitudinally of the machine and is provided with a pinion d on thefront side of the motor, the field magnets being supported upon bracketsD/ secured to and rising from the platform or Jplate C. The armaturepinion d engages with a large gear wheel E which is secured to a shaft earranged longitudinally of the machine and lying partly under the motorand extending to points in front thereof. At its forward end this shaftcarries a bevel pinion E for actuating the cutter chain, and at its rearend it carriesaworm E2 for driving the carriage advancing mechanism.

The bevel pinion E engages with a bevel wheel F on a shaft f. This shaftis mounted in brackets or standards F, F2 which are secured to and risefrom the platform or plate C. It carries also a sprocket wheel F3 fordriving the4 cutter chain, and a worm F4 for actuating the carriagewithdrawing, or pull-back mechanism.

The worm E2 above referred to, on shaft e engages with a worm wheel G ona carriage moving shaft g. 'lhe worm F4 above mentioned engages with aworm wheel H on a shaft h, arranged longitudinally of the machine, andextending back to the shaft g, and at its rear end carrying a worm Hwhich engages with another wheel G, on the shaft (l.

The wheels G, G/ are both loosely mounted on the shaft 0, but the one orthe other canbe connected therewith by means of a clutch I having teethor projections adapted to engage with these wheels, the clutch beingsplined or feathered to the shaft y. The wheels G and G, can rotatecontinuously, but in opposite directions and with different speeds. Theshaft f/ also has two other wheels or pinions J, J, but these arerigidly secured to it. They engage with the teeth j of the racks J whichare formed on or rigidly secured to the side bars upon the latter aremounted detachable wheels B. l Aof the bed frame.

When the pinions I, J, and shaft .f/ are being actua by the worm wheel Gthey are slowly rotated in the direction which ieeds the carriagel'orward. When the clutch l however is moved over to engage with theother worm wheel G( the shalt y; and thepinions .l will be rotated inthe opposite direction and with a higher speed to pull the carriageback.

The chain frame consists of a central bar K, with a iront cross-head KQand, by preierence, the inclined bracing and guiding bars K2. At therea-r end this chain trame is supported from the platiorm or plate C bymeans oi the bracket or standard l@ which is so arranged and is soconnected to the chain traine as not to interfere with the i'ree traveloi the cutters. The parts K, K and lf2 are arranged in vertical planes,and not horizontally as in undercutting machines, and consequently thecutterl chain L travels in vertical planes, the latter being also thevertical planes of the sprocket wheel F3, see Fig. 3. rlhe bar l( issupported in the guide a above described, which is rigidly secured tothe bed trame. The cross head K is in iront ol the guide and crossiraine ef, and one oi the parts K2 is above the guide, and the otherbelow it, lying in the open space between the inclined bed bars a5; andconsequently the iront guide e and its carrying bars e5 present noobstruction to the chain frame, which can travel orward until thesprocket wheel F3 nearly reaches the guide. The parts K2, K2 are angularchain guides, shown in cross section at Fig. 5.

It will now be seen VIrom the drawings and the above description that lprovide for making a cut in coal or similar material which shall benarrow (three or four inches) horizontally, but wide (three or iourieet) vertically. In other words the cut formed by the machine is ashear cut.

Where the vein of coal is narrow vertically a single cut will besufficient-that is on a given vertical line. But in many places it isdesirable to iorm 4such a shear cut over a vertical line ol six or moreieet. Hence it becomes desirable to support the machine in either oi twoor more positions vertically. This l accomplish as follows. M, M arecolumns or uprights, one adapted to be placed on each side oi themachine. Preferably they are hollow, as shown in Figs. 2, 1i and 8. Theyare adapted to be firmly bound or clamped in position between the rooland floor oi the mine by means ol a screw rod n1v engaging with a nutni/ having a hand wheel m2, with a nut bearing against the upper end ofthe tube M. Preierably the upper and the lower ends oi the rod in. andthe column M are pointed, as ind`icated at m3, 'm4 so that they can bedriven in the opposite walls oi the mine, as the roof and the floor. Atthe lower ends of the columns a connecting bar or plate m5 can be usedto properly space and brace them. Upon the inner side oi' each column Mthere is a vertically ai`H ranged rack O either integral with or securedto its column.

The bed-frame is adjustably secured to each o the columns M M as'iollows N indicates a clamping device. It is composed oiE an inner andan outer part, the inner having a ring segment n, and the outer acompanion segment nf. The outer part has hinge ears n3, and the inner acounterpart ear n4, which is connected to those at n" by a pintle a5.These two ring segments n nf can be drawn together so as to attain apoweriul grip upon the column M by means ol' a bolt at nS which ishinged in ears '11G upon one ol' the segments and carriesa nut n" whichbears against an opposing ear n.7 on the other segment. lhe ear nl has aslotn10 through its edge by which the nut can be quickly disengagedentirely iromthe ear so as to permit rapid attachment and dts tachinentof the column. The inner segment carries also an inwardly projectingbracket nl which is con nected to a plate n that can be connected in anysuitable manner to the bed-[rame of the machine. l. pinion engaging withthe rack O, and carried by a shaft p which is mounted in the bracket n?in bearings at pf. The pinion may be rotated for the purpose oi'elevating or lowering the bed upon the columns by any suitablemechanism. As shown, the shai'ts p p extend backward from the columns topoints near the rear ol' the bed where they are held in suitablebearings. Each shalt p has a worm wheel Q, and through these, wormwheels a cross shait q is connected to the sli-.tits p p by means oiworms Q/ each engaging with one oi the worm wheels Q. The shaft q can berotated by a crank such as at Q2 (Fig. 3) or by other suitable device`as for instance a lever Q3 such as shown in Fig. l., connected to theshalt q by a ratchet and dog.

When the shaft q is rotated in one direction it, through the abovedescribed gearing, and the shafts p rotate the pinions l? in such way asto elevate the bed trame and cutting apparatus to any desired point. asis shown in `lull lines in Fig. l.. By turning the sli-ait q in theopposite direction they can be again lowered, as illustrated by thedotted lines in Fig. l. rit the times when the machine is being thusadjusted vertically upon the upright frames or columns,I the clamps at Nare loosened to permit the iree movement. Alter the desired position,vertically, has been reached, the clamps are again set up with theutmost firmness.

To assist in supporting the mechanism at any posi4 tion vertically, usemaybe made oi detachable stops or holders which can be inserted asdesired into apertures or seats M3 in the columns, as shown in Fig. il..

The center of eiliciency oi the supporting devices at N is arrangedapproximately in the transverse line oi the center of gravity oi theentire machine when the carriage is drawn back to its rear limit. lhatis to sa y. the columns M M and their connecting device' arranged thatpractically the entire weight (say 2.00() pounds) is taken upon them.This enables me to proA vide a very simple, el'fective and readilyoperated mechanism for accomplishing the vertical adjustment. incontradistinction to the more complicated and less easily handleddevices that would be necessary il the weight of the mechanism wascarried at a greater' number oi supporting points,

rlhe iront end oi the machine is held and steadied by a supplementalframe secured to the bed and also cons sisting preferably of two columnsS S suitably connected together. As shown, each ol these comprises alower tubular part s terminating in the bottom in a pointed foot s/, anda threaded extension rod .su adapted to engage with the roof. s3 is anut engaging willi the part is a and bearing downward upon the part .sand hai'- ing a hand wheel s4 by which the nut can be lui-ned and thecolumn tightly bound in place, or loosened. Each o these columns S isconnected to thc bed-[rame at points suitably near the iront end,preferably at one of the front corners. It is provided with a clamp Thaving an outer segment and an inner segment t t/ hinged together at t2land provided with a hinged set These columns S S as above said, providea bracing and steadying mechanism for the front end of the machine. Butwhen vertical adjustment of the entire machine is being effected, theypresent no binding or clamping,

yfor after the clamps at T T are loosened, the front end of the machinewill readily move up or down because of its weight being balanced orcarried upon the rear main columns M M. And the loose connection at t4tf provides for independent movement of the columns S S as to eachother, so that they can be set as desired.

By having a vertical frame or set of columns of the character described,not only can the machine be supported or suspended and adjusted readilyin the way described, but provision can be made for setting thedifferent columns or parts constituting the frame independently of eachother. The right-hand side of the machine can be adjusted independentlyof the left, and vice versa. For this purpose I prefer the arrangementof parts shown in Fig. 12 in connection `with the adjusting shaft q. Inthe structure illustrated, this shaft is made in two parts g4 g5 whichcan be connected together or rotated independently of each other. Asshown, they are connected by having heads q/ q2 at about the centertransversely of the machine, and these heads are inclosed by a sleeve R.One or both of the heads can be provided with pin-holes r, and

a detachable pin 1'/ can be employed passing through the sleeve R andadapted to enter one or the other of the pin-holes r in the head. Whenone side of the machine is to be lifted or depressed independently ofthe other, the pin r/ is withdrawn, and then that part of the shaft q(either 1L or g5) which is connected with the pinion P on the side to beadjusted is rotated as above described, whereupon its side of themachine will be raised or lowered, While the other remains stationary.

The chain frame K K Kg-is adjustably connected to the engine platform orplate as follows. U is a vertically arranged plate with a guide-waywhich receives a bracket U secured to and extending laterally from thecenter bar K of the chain frame. This bracket U/ carries a crossbar Vwhich has a threaded aperture o, a head 1/ and a nut v3. The bar V litsin a slotte in the guide-plate U and passes through an aperture in thebracket U/. W is a screw-rod threaded to en= gage with the bar V andmounted longitudinally across the slot u. Its inner end is situated in asocket at u in the platform standard or plate U, and at its outer end ithas a collar w which is held in a seat by means of a detachable plateU2. The outer end of the screwrod, as at wg, is adapted to receive awrench or tool for rotating the rod. When it is rotated, it moves thecross-bar V forward or back toward or from the shaft f and the axis ofthe sprocket wheel F3, and as this bar V moves thus forward or back, itcarries with it the bracket U and the chain frame through its bar K; andconsequently the tightening or loosening of the chain can be readilyeffected. At the times of such adjustment, the nut at r3 should beloosened on the bar V, this nut r3 being a clamping device which bindsthe cross bar V to the platform upright or plate U, and this binding orfastening of the`cross-bar V relieves the bolt W and its threads of allstrain from the cutting mechanism and from the weight of the parts.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for shifting the clutch I. Forillustration I have shown in the drawings a mechanism like the onedisclosed in my Patent No. 798,201, to which reference is made for amore detailed description. In Fig. 11 indicates a vertically arrangedshaft, mounted at its ends in bearings carried by the under wall of themotor case, and the platform C, respectively. x is a toothed wheelsecured to the shaft a; and arranged to mesh with the series of ribs 1'on the clutch. .ft2 is a hand lever secured at its inner end to theshaft .t and adapted for rotating the shaft to shift the clutch. y is alever pivoted so as to swing about the axis of the shaft x. It carries atoothed plate yf which also meshes with the ribs t' on the clutch. Thislever y is intended to be operated automatically in any well knownmanner, as for example as illustrated in my above referred to patent, toshift the clutch during the operation of the carriage along the bed.

What I claim is:

1. In a mining machine, the combination of a recprocating carriagehaving' a chain frame arranged vertically between the sides of thecarriage, a cutter' chain on said chain frame adapted to cut a verticalslot narrow horizontally but elongated vertically, a bed frame for thecarriage extended laterally horizontally' and having substantiallyparallel side hars for guiding the carriage and adapted to lie insubstantially the same horizontal plane, the vertically arrangedsupportingr devices for the bed comprising columns 'at the sides of theframe and adapted to be secured to the roof and Iioor, and means forvertically adjusting the bed frame upon the vertical supporting devices,substantially as set forth.

2. In a mining machine the combination of a reciprocating carriage, achain frame on the carriage arranged in vertical planes between the sidebars of the carriage, a cutter chain on said frame adapted to operate atthe front end o1 the machine, :i motor on the carriage at the rear endand traveling therewith, a rectangular bed frame for the carriageextended laterally horizontally and having substantially horizontalparallel side bars for guidingthe carriage and a vertical support forthe bed arranged to provide a ground support therefor comprising twoindepend- .ent columns independently fastened to the floor and to theroof, one upon each side of the bed frame and situated in the transverseplane of the center of gravity of the whole mechanism when the carriageis in its rearmost position, substantially as set forth. A

3. In a mining machine, the combination of the bed, the carriage movingthereon, the cutter frame on the carriage, the vertically arrangedcolumns, adapted to be secured independently of each other to the roofand to the door of the mine and situated at xed points adjacent to thebed, one on each side thereof, vertical racks carried by the columnsrespectively, the pinions mounted on and in fixed relations to the bedand connected with the racks, means for actuating the pinionsindependently and means for actuating them simultaneously, substantiallyas set forth.

fljln a mining machine, the combination of the bed frame. the carriagethereon, the cutter frame arranged vertically between the sides of thecarriage, the vertical columns for supporting the bed arrangedindependently of each other, means for securing the columnsindependently to the floor and to the roof of the mine, means foradjusting the bed vertically upon said columns, and the bed snpportingdevices supplemental to the adjusting devices and adapted to be thrownout of action without affecting the bed.

5. In a mining machine, the combination of thc bed, the carriagethereon, the vertical supporting devices for the bed, one on each sidenear the rear thereof, means for adjusting the bed vertically on saidsupporting devices, supplemental supporting devices at the forward partof the bed adjustably connected therewith independently of the aforesaidvertical supporting devices, and friction clamps supplemental to saidadjustingmeans for securing the bed to the supporting devices, wherebythe adjusting devices can be relieved.

(i. In a mining machine, the combination of the bed, the carriagethereon, the vertically arranged columns adapted to be securedindependently of each other to the roof and the floor of the mine, theracks, the pinions engaging with the racks, means for rotatingthepinions to effect the vertical adjustment of the bed, and the frictionclamps independent of the adjusting devices for binding the bed to thecolumns whereby the adjusting devices are relieved, substantially as setforth.

7. In a mining machine, the combination of the bed, the carriage thereonhaving a cutting apparatus, the vertically arranged columns adapted tobe secured to the roof and the iloor of the mine, and mechanism foradjusting bodily the bed and the carriage vertically, comprisingl theracks on the columns, the pinions engaging therewith, the longitudinallyarranged .shafts for actuating the pinions, and the cross shaft foractuating the longitudinal shafts said columns being transverselyopposite to each other, and independently adjustable relatively to thebed, substantially as set forth.

8. In a mining machine, the combination of the horizontally arranged andlaterally extended bed frame, the horizontally extended carriage mountedon and travelingalong said bed frame, the vertically arranged chainframe on the carriage, the cutter chain on said frame, the electricmotor at the rear end of said carriage, said carriage with the chainframe and motor moving bodily forward and back and changing the positionof the center of gravity of thebed frame and the carriage, thevertically arranged columns one on each side of the bed frame, andsecured to the roof and the iioor of the mine independently of eachother, the vertical racks arranged in the transverse vertical plane ofthe center of gravity of the carriage and of the bed frame when thecarriage is in its rearmost position and the pinions mounted on said bedand in engagement with said racks and adapted for adjusting the bedvertically; substantially as set forth.

9. In a mining machine, the combination of the bed, the carriagethereon, the cutter-frame, the vertically arranged support for the bed,sthe racks and pinions connecting the bed to the vertical support, andtwo sets of devices for actuating the pinions independently of eachother or simultaneously, as desired, substantially as set forth.

10. In a shearing mining machine, the combination of a bed frame,supporting wheels, means for connecting the supporting wheels to the bedframe whereby it can be supported on a track or on the ground, avertical support for the bed frame, means for adjusting the said framevertically on the said support, a carriage on the bed frame and anendless cutter ou the carriage adapted to make a verti- :al rectilinearcut while the carriage is held against vertical movement.

11. VIn a miningl machine, the combination of the bed, the carriagethereon, the cutter frame on the carriage, the rear columns', one ateach side of the machine, independent of each other and adapted to besecured independently to the root and the floor of the mine, the frontcolumns secured to the roof and the floor of the mine independent ofeach other and secured to the front of the bed independently ot the rearcolumns, and means for adjusting the bed frame vertically on thecolumns, the rear columns being arranged to relieve the front columns ofthe weight of the machine when the carriage isin its rear position;substantially as set forth.

12. In a mining machine, the combination of the bed, the carriagethereon having the cutter-frame, the vertical columns )I M, the clampsN, the racks O, guiding supports relatively near the rear end of thebed, means l'or adjusting the bed thereon1 the suliplemeutal verticalsupports at the front end of the bed, and clamps for securing the frontend of the bed to the front vertical supports. said clamps beingpivotally connected to the bed, substantially as set forth.

13. In a mining machine, the combination of the frame, the carriagethereon having the cutter-frame,

bed-

the

and

actuating means on said carriage having paths extending to the front andrear of said columns, pinions I, the longitudinal shafts p, the crossshaft r1 geared to the shafts p, and means for rotating the shaft r1,substantially as set forth.

l-t. In a mining machine, the combination of the carriage thereon havingthe cutter-frame. the columns M, the racks O, the clamps N, the pinionsl?, the shafts p mounted in the clamps N and also on the bed, and meansfor rotating the shafts p, substantially as set forth.

1.3. In a mining' machine, the combination of the bed. the carriagethereon having the cutter-frame, the columns M, the racks O, the pinionsP, the shafts p, the two-part; shaft (1, and means for connectingtogether the two parts of the shaft q, substantially as set forth.

1G. In a mining machine, the combination of the bed. the carriagethereon having the cutter-frame, the vertical columns or supports forthe rear part of the bed. means for adjusting the bed thereon, and thefront columns S having the adjustable clamps connected by hinges orpivots as at t t5 to the bed, substantially as set forth.

17. In a mining machine, the combination of a rectangular horizontallyarranged bed-frame, a cutter-chain in a vertical plane between `the sidebars of the bed traine. a carriage on the bed-frame and means forsupportingl the bed frame at different positions vertically above theground, a frame for the chain having the side chain guides one above theother, a central longitudinal bar for the chain-frame, a support at therearof the carriage for the chain-frame, the guide at the front end ofthe bed for the central bar, and the bars extending upwardly front thebed for supporting the guide, substantially as setr forth. i

1S. In a mining machine, the combination of the rectangular bed havingsubstantially parallel side bars adapted to lie in substantially thesame horizontal planes. the cutter-chain, the carriage, the frame forthe chain having the chain-guides arranged substantially as set forth tohave the forward, the downward and the backward utoring parts of thechain in the saine vertical planes between the side bars of the bed, andhaving the central supporting bar, the front elevated guide for thechain-frame, an upwardly extended supporting bracket for the rear cnilot the chain-frame, and means extending horizontally laterally from thechain-frame Vfor connecting it to the supporting bracket,sul'istantially as set forth.

the bed.

lOl ln a mining machine, the combination of the rectangulail bed framehaving two substantially parallel sitio bars adapted to lie insubstantially the same horizontal planes, the cutter-chain, thecarriage, having a gtutring supporting part and a frame for the chain, ahorizontal chain-driving shaft, a vertically rotating sprocket wheelthereon, the chain frame having guides which hold the forward-moving,the downwartl-moving, and the backwardmoving parts of the chain in thesame vertical planes lietween the side bars of the bed frame, and havinga, central thrust-bar mounted in an elevated guide-way supported ai thefront end of the bed, and a bracket or support for the rear end of thechain fraaie extending upwardly :from the gearing support, substantiallyas set forth.

20. In a mining machine, the combination of a bedframe, a cutter-chaincutting on vertical lines, a supporting frame for the chain, a motor atthe rear of the earriage, a longitudinally arranged shaft geared to themotor. a horizontal transverse shaft in front; ol the motor gearing, andgeared to the longitudinal shaft, and a vertically rotatingl sprocketwheel in the longitudinal vertical planes of the chain-frame and of themotor whereby a relatively short chain can be employed arranged entirelyin from of the motor and substantially all utilized for cutting asdescribed.

ltitl vward and back 21'. In a shearing mining machine, the combinationof the bed frame, a carriage movable longitudinally of the bed frame, anendless cutter on the carriage adapted to form an elongated verticalrectilinear slot, a front support for the bed frame adapted to befastened to the roof and floor of the mine and to support the said framenear its frontend, a rear vertical support for the bed frame adapted tobe fastened to the roof and floor of the mine, and support thesaidfrarne near its rear end, a vertical guide for the rear end-ofthe'frame adapted to engage the said rear support and to sustain theweight of the entire machine, and a supplemental guide for the frontportion of the machine adapted to engagewith said front support and tobe thrown out of supportingaction independently of the rear guide.

22. In a shearing mining machine,' the combination of a rear verticalsupport adapted to be secured to the roof andI to the door of the mine,a front vertical support adapted to be secured to the roof and floor ofthe mine independently of said rear support, a bed frame slidablevertically along the said independent supports, a carriage on said bedframe, movable forward and back thereon, a

front thrust cutting apparatus having an endless chain lport adapted tobe secured to the roof and the iioor of the mine, a front verticalsupport adapted to be secured to the roof and floor of the mineindependently of the rear 'column or support,l a bed frame slidablevertically lalong the said-independent supports, means for clamping thebed frame to the vvertical supports, said parts being arrangedsubstantially as set forth whereby the supports can he arrangedvertically while their lower ends or upper ends are in differenthorizontal planes, power devices arranged relatively near the rear endof the bed frame for adjusting the bed vertically and sustaining itsweight, a carriage on the said bed frame and adapted to move forthereon,an endless cutter chain, a chain supporting frame on the carriagearranged t0 hold the chain i-n a vertical plane, a motor at the rear endof the carriage, chain driving gearing actuated by and situated in frontof themotor, the rear support and the devices for adjusting the bedvertically being arranged as set forth to receive the weight of themotor when the carriage is in its rear position, substantially as setforth.

, 24. In ashearing mining machine, the combination of the rear verticalsupport adapted to be secured to the roof and iioor of the mine, thefront vertical support, adapted to be secured to the roof and door ofthe mine independently of said rear support, a reciprocating carriagehaving a chain frame comprising an upwardly inclined chain guide, adownwardly inclined chain guide, a vertically arranged chainguide at thefrontend connecting the divergent ends of the inclined chain guides, anda central thrust bar, the bed frame for the carriage slidable verticallyalong said independent supports and having a relatively wide support andguide way for the rear end of the carriage and the relatively narrowsupport and guide way for the central thrust bar of the chain frame, themotor on the carriage, an endless cutter chain on the chain frame, andpower transmitting devices interposed between said motoi and said chain.

25. In a shearing mining machine, the combination of the rear verticalsupport adapted to be secured to the roof and floor of the mine, thefront vertical support, adapted tobe secured to the roof and fioor ofthe mine independently of said rear support, a reciprocating carriagehaving a chain'frame comprising an upwardly inA clined chain guide,a'downwardly inclined chain guide, a vertically arranged chain guide atthe front end connecting the divergent ends of the inclined chainguides, and a central thrust bar, the bed frame for the carriageslidable vertically along said independent supports `and havingl arelatively wide support and guide way for the rear end of the carriage,and the relatively narrow support and guide way for the central thrustbar of the chain frame, the motor on the carriage, an endless cutterchain on the chain frame, power transmitting devices inter posed betweensaid motor and said chain, and means for adjusting said bed framevertically.

2G. In a miningl machine, the combination of a reciprocating carriagehaving a chain frame arranged vertically between the sides thereof, acutter chain on the said chain frame adapted to cut an elongatedvertical slot, a bed frame for the carriage adapted to support it onboth sides ot' the said chain fraine,'tl1e vertically arrangedsupporting devices for the bed frame adapted to be secured to the roofand oor, and means for vertically adjusting the bed frame upon the saidvertical supporting devices.

^ 27. In a mining machine, the combination of a reciprocating carriagehaving a chain frame arranged vertically between the sides thereof, acutter chain on said chain frame adapted to cut an elongated verticalslot, a motor on said carriage, a bed frame for the carriage adapted tosupport it on both sides of said chain frame and of said motor, thevertically arranged supporting devices for the bed frames adapted to besecured to the roof and floor, and means for vertically adjusting thebed frame upon the vertical supporting devices.

2S. In a mining machine, the combination of the recip rocating carriage.a chain irame on the carriage, a cutter chain on the said frame adaptedto operate at the front end of the machine, a motor secured to the rearend of the carriage, a bed frame for the carriage and a vertical supportfor the bed comprising two independent columns fastened to the floor androof, one upon each side of the bed frame, and situated in thetransverse plane of the center of gravity of the whole mechanism whenthe carriage is in its rearmost position.

2i). In a mining machine, the combination of a bed frame, a carriagearranged to move forward and back thereon, a cutter frame movable withthe carriage, vertically arranged supports for the bed, one at eitherside thereof, vertical racks and pinions connecting the bed with thevertical supports to permit the bodily adjustment of the bed vertically,and sets of actuating devices, one for each pinion, each set beingindependently operable.

30. In a mining machine, the combination of the bed, the carriagethereon having the cutter frame, the vertical support relatively nearthe rear end of the bed, means for adjusting the bed thereon, thesupplemental vertical support for the front end of the bed, and meanspivotally connected to the bed for securing the front end thereof to thefront vertical support.

In testimony whereof, I alx my signature, in presence of two witnesses.4

EDWIN R. MERRILL.

Witnesses JNO. J. REILLY, A. D. SHAW.

